JP3489078B2 - Chip rack - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a chip rack for inserting a disposable chip used in an automatic microanalysis / inspection machine into a hole in a chip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automatic microanalytical analyzers have been used in hospitals, test centers, and research institutes. For this purpose, resin disposable chips are used to test liquid samples such as reagents. Dispensing. This test chip sucks and discharges a liquid sample, and it is necessary to replace the chip for each different liquid sample. Further, at the time of use, this inspection chip is inserted into the storage hole of the chip rack in advance and the pipetting operation is performed.

In particular, since it is necessary to dispense a large number of the same liquid sample at the same time, it is necessary to insert a large number of chips in advance into the storage holes of the chip rack and perform a plurality of dispensing simultaneously. For example, when a liquid sample is dispensed to a microplate having a total of 96 holes of 8 × 12, it is necessary to insert a total of 96 chips into the storage holes of the chip rack in advance. Alternatively, a plurality of chips necessary for dispensing at one time are arranged in a line, and a plurality of chips are arranged side by side. For example, a total of 120 chips are inserted in advance in a chip rack having 120 storage holes of 10 × 12, It is set up for convenience of pipetting work.

[0004]

In this case, the chip to be inserted into the storage hole of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis analyzer is
Since the holes of the chip rack have an inner diameter that matches the outer shape of the chip and are closely arranged on the chip rack, conventionally, each chip is manually inserted into the hole. It is something to insert. Therefore, it has a drawback that it has to be transferred one by one and inserted into the hole of the chip rack, which is very troublesome. In particular, since it is a manual work, there is a drawback that when the chip is touched by the hand, there is a risk of contamination and there is a risk of breakage.

Alternatively, there is also used a chip box in which a hole is made in a flat plate made of resin or the like according to the number and arrangement of the holes in the chip rack, and the chips are inserted into the holes in the flat plate. This is to insert the chips at a time by stacking the chips inserted in the holes of the flat plate on the holes of the chip rack from above. However, in this case, the chip is only inserted into the hole of the flat plate, and the hole of the flat plate is locked only by the flange part of the chip, and the tip part of the chip shakes, so extremely accurate positioning is possible. However, it has a major drawback that it is difficult to insert it into the hole of the tip rack at one time.

Further, when the chip is arranged on such a flat plate, it must be put in a box or the like in advance during storage or transportation to prevent the chip from coming off or being damaged due to shaking, which is expensive. There was also a drawback that it became a thing. In addition to this, a removable tip rack is used in which chips are inserted and arranged in advance in each hole of the tip rack, and there is also a tip rack that is mounted on the machine itself at the time of use. Are required individually, which is very expensive and bulky in packaging and the like. In particular, it has a drawback that it is almost impossible to support different chip racks depending on the equipment.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above drawbacks and provides a chip rack for inserting a disposable chip used in an automatic microanalysis / analysis machine into a hole in a chip rack of an automatic microanalysis / analysis machine. To do.
Therefore, the invention of claim 1 provides a hole having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially conical liquid portion of the chip and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the chip head, and a wall portion having substantially the same height as the chip head. A chip insert having a chip head direction at the time of chip insertion, and a top plate that covers the chip head after inserting the chip into the chip insert, and the wall of the chip insert and the top plate are A chip rack that is detachably locked, has a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the chip head and is lower than the chip head on one surface of the chip insert body, concentrically with the hole of the chip insert body. A chip rack in which a substantially cylindrical cover is provided on one surface of the chip inserter. The chip rack can be easily placed on the chip rack of the machine body, and the chip rack can be placed in the storage hole of the chip rack of the machine body. The tip of It can very easily inserted without wobbling chip itself since it is possible to securely positioning the chips when you type.

Alternatively, a hole having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially conical liquid portion of the chip according to the second aspect of the invention and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the chip head has a height substantially the same as that of the chip head. The chip insert body has a wall portion in the direction of the chip head when the chip is inserted, and a top plate that covers the chip head after inserting the chip into the chip insert body. A chip rack removably locked to a face plate, the chip head being concentric with the inner surface of the upper plate located at the chip head when the upper plate is removably locked to the chip inserter. The same is true by using a chip rack in which an upper surface plate is provided with a substantially cylindrical cover part having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the part and lower than the chip head part.

In these cases, even in the case of the chip rack in which the wall portion of the chip insert body according to the invention of claim 3 is arranged so as to surround the four sides of the chip insert body, the top plate can be positioned and the chip can be positioned. It is possible to position.

Other than this, the same applies to a chip rack in which the wall portions of the chip insert body are arranged on two opposite sides of the chip insert body as in the invention of claim 4.

Further, as in the invention of claim 5, a chip insert having a hole having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially conical liquid portion of the chip and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the chip head, and the chip head. A top plate having a wall portion having substantially the same height, which comprises a top plate that covers the chip head after inserting the chip into the chip insertion body, and the chip insertion body and the wall portion of the top plate are removable. Even with the chip rack that freely locks, it is possible to attach and detach the upper plate that further restricts the position of the chip whose position is regulated by the cover, and the upper plate can regulate the position from the upper and side portions.

In this case, the chip rack may be such that the wall portion of the upper surface plate is arranged so as to surround the four sides of the upper surface plate as in the invention of claim 6.

Alternatively, as in the seventh aspect of the invention, a chip rack in which the wall portion of the upper plate is arranged on two opposite sides of the upper plate may be used.

With respect to these structures, the wobble of the chips can be further prevented by the chip rack having the adhesive member on the inner surface of the upper surface plate located on the chip head side as in the eighth aspect of the invention. As described above, the above-mentioned problems can be solved by the invention described in each claim of the present application.

[0015]

1 is a diagram showing a disassembled state of a tip rack according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a chip insert body of a chip rack, which has a large number of holes 12 based on a flat plate structure for setting the chips 3. The holes 12 are formed by arranging 10 holes 12 in the vertical direction, 12 rows of the 10 holes 12 are provided in the lateral direction, and 120 holes 12 are provided as a whole. The chips 3 are inserted into the holes 12, respectively. The tip 3 includes a head portion 31 and a substantially conical liquid portion 32 connected to the head portion 31.
The outer diameter of the head portion 31 is configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the base portion of the substantially conical liquid portion 32.

Further, the hole 1 of the chip insert 1 of the chip rack
Reference numeral 2 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the base portion of the liquid portion 32 of the tip 3 and allows the tip 3 to be inserted. On the other hand,
Since the outer diameter of the head 31 of the chip 3 is larger than the inner diameter of the hole 12 of the chip insert 1, this head 31 is
It is possible to catch the chip insertion body 1 itself in the peripheral portion of the hole 12 without entering the inside, and to suppress the further insertion of the chip 3.

Further, each hole 12 shown in FIG. 1 has a cylindrical cover portion 13 for covering the outer peripheral portion of the lower portion of the head portion 31 of the chip 3 for positioning the head portion 31 of the chip 3. The chip insert 1 has four sides covered with walls 11, and the height of the walls 11 is substantially the same as the height of the upper portion of the head 31 of the chip 3 when the chip 3 is inserted into the hole 12. To do. A top plate 2 covers such a chip insert 1. The upper surface plate 2 has a protruding portion 212 having a locking piece 213, and is mounted by being hooked on a locking portion 112 provided on the wall 11 of the chip insert 1. Therefore, the upper surface portion 2 can be locked to the chip insert body 1 by these, and the upper opening portion of the chip insert body 1 is hidden.

In particular, the chip 3 is inserted into the hole 12 of the chip insert 1, and by covering the top plate 2, not only the whole is covered but also the height of the wall portion 11 of the chip insert 1 is increased. Since the height of the upper part of the head portion 31 of the chip 3 is substantially the same, the end of the head portion 31 of the chip 3 can be pressed by the surface of the top plate 2 in the direction of the chip insert 1. As a result, the hole 12 of the chip insert 1 is
Moreover, the inserted chip 3 can be positioned by the top plate 2 as well as the cover 13, and the wobbling of the chip 3 itself can be eliminated.

As described above, when the chip 3 according to the present invention is used to transfer the chip 3 into the storage hole of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine, the chip 3 according to the present invention can be used to transfer the chip 3 to the chip rack. It is possible to position the chip 3 and the chip 3 itself does not wobble, and it is possible to insert the chip 3 of the present chip rack as it is from the upper direction into the storage hole of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis analyzer. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually insert the chips 3 into the storage holes of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis analyzer, for example, by hand, and the chips 3 are collectively inserted without touching the chips 3 themselves. Is something that can be done.

Regarding the height of the wall portion 13, the wall portion 13
When the height of the chip is slightly lower than the head 31 of the chip 3, the upper surface plate 2 is covered with the chip insert 1 and the upper surface plate 2 is bent because the chip head 31 is protruded from the wall portion 13. Can be covered with a curved shape, and the chip 3 can be positioned by pressing the chip head 31 from above by the elastic force of the bending, and the wobbling of the chip 3 can be prevented.
It can be used similarly. Alternatively, even if the height of the wall portion 13 is slightly higher than that of the chip head portion 31, the upper surface plate 2 and the chip head portion 3 are covered by covering the chip insert 1 with the upper surface plate 2.
Although 1 has a slight gap, when holding this chip rack, if a finger is attached to the top plate 2 and a little force is applied to the chip head 31 direction, the top plate 2 bends in the chip head 31 direction. As a result, it is possible to hold down the chip head 31.

Therefore, also in this case, the chip 3 can be positioned by pressing the chip head 31 from above, and the wobbling of the chip 3 can be prevented. In this case as well, it can be used. The number and arrangement of the holes 12 of the present chip rack can be appropriately determined according to the number and arrangement of the storage holes of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis analyzer. Further, since the height of the wall portion 13 of the chip insert 1 also overlaps with the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine, the height of the wall portion 13 of the chip insert 1 and the existing chip in the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine itself. It is sufficient that the total rack height is within the operable range of the automatic microanalysis analyzer.

The pipette work can be carried out by placing such a tip rack on the tip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine from above and then removing the top plate 2. Incidentally, with respect to the cover portion 13 provided on the chip insert body 1, by providing this, the positioning of the chip head 31 is made more reliable. However, even if the cover portion 13 is not provided Since the end of the chip head 31 is brought into contact with or covered by the upper surface plate 2 from the upper part depending on the height of the portion 11, it is possible to eliminate or extremely reduce the shaking of the chip 3 itself. Therefore, the cover 13 is not provided. May be Further, the adhesive member 4 may be applied to the inner surface of the upper surface plate 2 located in the chip head 31 direction of the upper surface plate 2 as described above. With the adhesive member 4, the chip head 3
1 adheres to the upper surface plate 2 to prevent the chip 3 from wobbling.

Next, with respect to the projection 212 having the locking piece 213 of the upper surface plate 2 and the locking portion 112 provided on the wall portion 11 of the chip insert 1, it is possible to lock both of them in a detachable manner. It suffices that the upper plate 2 can be locked so as not to come off unexpectedly when it is covered, but when it is transferred to an automatic microanalysis analyzer, the upper plate 2 can be easily removed for pipetting work. Anything is possible as long as it is possible. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the top plate 2 of FIG. 1 is covered. Therefore, when the top plate 2 is covered, the chip 3 itself does not wobble, which is very convenient to carry and easy to store. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. Each hole 12 of the chip insert 1
The tip 3 of the chip 3 is inserted into the chip 3. The head 31 of the chip 3 prevents further insertion of the chip 3, and the cover 13 positions the lower portion of the head 31 of the chip 3. Further, the wall portion 1 having substantially the same height as the chip head 31
Positioning with the end of the chip head 31 of the upper surface plate 2 is performed by 1. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the upper plate 2 has a wall portion 22, the chip insert 1 has holes 12, and the chips 3 are inserted into the holes 12 and the chip head 31 prevents further insertion. FIG.

In this case, the chip insert 1 has no wall,
Instead, the upper surface plate 2 is provided with the wall portion 22 having substantially the same height as the chip head portion 31. Therefore,
Even when the upper surface plate 2 is covered with the chip insertion body 1 into which the chip 3 is inserted and locked, the chip 3 itself can be positioned and the wobbling of the chip 3 can be suppressed. Even in this case, when the height of the wall portion 22 is slightly lower than that of the chip head portion 31, it is possible to press the chip head portion 31 from above by the elastic force due to the bending of the upper surface plate 2, or the height of the wall portion 22 is increased. Saga chip head 31
Even when the upper plate 2 is slightly higher than the above, pressing the upper plate 2 with a finger causes the upper plate 2 to bend and press the chip head 31 from above, which enables positioning and wobbling. It can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the upper surface plate 2 is locked to the chip insert 1, the inner surface of the upper surface plate 2 located at the chip head 31 is slightly inner diameter than the outer diameter of the chip head 31. The cover portion 23 having a large size may be provided. When the upper surface plate 2 is locked to the chip insert body 1, the chip head 31 is covered by the cover 23, and the positioning of each chip 3 becomes more reliable. Alternatively, instead of the top plate 2, the chip insert 1 may be provided with the cover 13 lower than the height of the chip head 31.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a wall portion 11 which intersects with the chip insert 1 of the chip rack based on the flat plate structure at the central portion.
It is a figure which shows one Example of the tip rack of this invention provided with. A laterally long hole 113 is provided on the side surface of the wall portion 11 so that the projection 212 having the locking piece 213 of the upper surface plate 2 can be fitted therein. With this configuration, the top plate 2 can be attached and detached, and when the top plate 2 is locked, it can be fitted tightly and the chip head 31 can be pressed. Further, the upper plate 2 can be easily removed by this locking member, and for example, the upper plate 2 can be easily removed after the present chip rack is placed on the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis analyzer. .

FIG. 6 is a view showing another embodiment of the chip rack of the present invention in which the wall portions 11 are provided on the two opposite sides of the chip insert 1 of the chip rack based on the flat plate structure. Even with such a configuration, the top plate 2 can be easily attached and detached, and the chip head 31 can be pressed firmly when the top plate 2 is mounted. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the chip rack of the present invention in which the upper surface plate 2 having the adhesive member 4 coated on one surface is used for the chip insert 1 of the chip rack based on the flat plate structure. FIG. By covering the chip head 31 with the surface of the upper surface plate 2 to which the adhesive member 4 is applied facing the chip 3 of the chip insert 1, the chip head 31 can be pressed and positioned, and the chip 3 can be positioned. It is possible to prevent wobbling. The top plate 2 is not limited to a plate-shaped member, but may be a sheet-shaped member. The sheet may be a film sheet as well as a paper sheet or a cloth sheet. In this case, the sheet may be a thick sheet or a thin sheet, and the sheet includes both. For example, even with a sheet made of a thin material, the chip head portion 31 can be accurately positioned by the adhesive member 4 and the wobble of the chip 3 can be prevented.

The sheet is not limited to a single sheet and covers the entire chip head 31. For example, elongated sheets are arranged to cover the chip head 31 of the chip insert 1. It may be one. Also by this, the chip 3 can be positioned by the adhesive member 4 of the sheet. When such a sheet is used, the detachable locking with the chip insert 1 may be performed as required. For example, a film obtained by applying an adhesive member 4 on the upper part of the chip 3 of the chip insert 1. When the sheet 2 is covered from above, the chip 3 is fixed by the adhesive member 4 of the film sheet 2 and the sheet 2 is also pressed by the finger if the central portion of the sheet 2 is pressed with the fingers while being held by the hand. The tip 3 is not shaky and can be positioned accurately.

In particular, the adhesive member 4 of the present invention is adhered to the chip head by, for example, hot melt or the like,
The film sheet 2 may be peeled off at the time of use, and an adhesive substance is included in the adhesive member 4. That is, the adhesive member 4 in the present application is only required to be capable of adhering the chip head portion and the upper surface plate 2, and is only required to be in a temporarily adhered state. For example, not only an adhesive member that can be adhered by heat fusion but also an adhesive member using an adhesive substance having an adhesive property can be placed in an adhesive state for a period of time, and thus is included in the adhesive member 4.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the adhesive member 4 is applied to one surface of such a film sheet 2 to cover the upper portion of the chip head 31. In this case, when the present chip rack is placed to insert the chip 3 into the storage hole of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine, the sheet 2 may be peeled off thereafter. In addition, this film sheet 2
In the case of engaging with the chip insert 1, the sheet 2 can be fixed via the adhesive member 4, for example, by constructing the sheet 2 to be a little longer and covering the chip insert 1 with the sheet 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the tip rack according to the present invention is moved or stored. In the case where the conventional chip is simply inserted into the hole of the transfer flat plate, it is necessary to insert the transfer chip rack 5 of one flat plate into the case 6 to prevent the chip 3 from coming off, as shown in FIG. Met. However, by using this chip rack, not only the chip 3 does not fall out, but also the wobbling is extremely small because the chip 3 itself is positioned accurately, and two chip racks are placed in the liquid part 32 direction of the chip 3. It can be crossed and stacked and stored, making it very convenient not only for storage but also for portability. In particular, for the protection of the tip portion, it is possible to sufficiently protect it by using a spacer 7 made of paper or the like, a strong and expensive transfer tip rack as in the past is not necessary, and it varies depending on the shape of the automatic microanalysis analyzer. Transfer chip racks of various shapes are not required.

[0032]

Effect of the Invention If the chip rack according to the present invention is directly stacked on the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine, the chips of this chip rack can be inserted into the storage holes of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis / inspection machine, and the chips can be inserted at once. It has the first effect. In particular, the chip inserter and the top plate allow the chip to be easily and safely inserted into the insertion hole of the chip rack of the automatic microanalysis analyzer without wobbling. 2. In this case, the chip rack according to the present invention also has an advantage that the chips themselves do not have to be touched. This has the second effect that not only the complexity at the time of insertion can be prevented but also there is no fear of contamination, damage can be prevented, and the safety of the operator can be secured. 3. When storing or transporting, it is extremely easy and safe because the tip does not come off, and there is no risk of the tip coming off or being damaged.Therefore, each set must be put in a case and stored or transported. It has the third effect of making it possible to reduce the cost while reducing the trouble. 4. The shape of the chip inserter, the number of holes, etc. can be freely selected, and it can be applied to any device, and has a fourth effect that a chip rack with extremely high versatility can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a disassembled state of a tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the top plate of FIG. 1 is covered.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a disassembled state of another embodiment of the tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a disassembled state of another embodiment of the tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a disassembled state of another embodiment of the tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a disassembled state of another embodiment of the tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a disassembled state of another embodiment of the tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a storage state of a tip rack according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional storage state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 chip insert 11 wall 112 Lock 12 holes 13 Cover 2 Top plate 212 protrusion 213 Locking piece 22 wall 23 Cover 3 chips 31 head 32 Liquid 4 Adhesive members

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-11-248713 (JP, A) Special Table 8-503911 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 35 / 10 B01L 9/06 B65D 85/86

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hole 12 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially conical liquid portion of the chip and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the chip head.
And a chip insert 1 having a wall portion 11 having substantially the same height as the chip head in the chip head direction when the chip is inserted.
And a top plate 2 that covers the chip head after inserting the chip into the chip insert body 1, and the wall 11 of the chip insert body 1 and the top plate 2 are detachably locked. A cover of a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the chip head and concentric with the hole 12 of the chip insert 1 on one surface of the chip insert 1. A chip rack, wherein the part 13 is provided on one surface of the chip insert 1. 2. A hole 12 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially conical liquid portion of the chip and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the chip head.
And a chip insert 1 having a wall portion 11 having substantially the same height as the chip head in the chip head direction when the chip is inserted.
And a top plate 2 that covers the chip head after inserting the chip into the chip insert body 1, and the wall 11 of the chip insert body 1 and the top plate 2 are detachably locked. The inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the chip head concentrically with the inner surface of the upper surface plate 2 located at the chip head when the upper plate 2 is detachably locked to the chip insert 1. In addition, the cover 13 having a substantially cylindrical shape lower than the tip of the chip is attached to the top plate 2
A tip rack that is characterized by being installed in. 3. The chip rack according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion 11 of the chip insert 1 is arranged so as to surround four sides of the chip insert 1. 4. The chip rack according to claim 1, wherein the wall portions 11 of the chip insert body 1 are arranged on two opposite sides of the chip insert body 1. 5. A hole 12 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the substantially conical liquid portion of the tip and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the tip.
A top plate 2 having a chip insert 1 having the above and a wall 22 having substantially the same height as the chip head, the top plate 2 covering the chip head after inserting the chip into the chip insert 1. The chip rack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chip insert 1 and the wall portion 22 of the top plate 2 are detachably engaged with each other. 6. The wall portion 22 of the top plate 2 is arranged so as to surround four sides of the top plate 2.
The listed tip rack. 7. The chip rack according to claim 5, wherein the wall portions 22 of the top plate 2 are arranged on two opposite sides of the top plate 2. 8. The chip rack according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive member 4 on an inner surface of the upper surface plate 2 located on the chip head side.